Scotland’s best airport crowned as all travel hubs make improvements – full list revealed

The rankings were revealed in the annual passenger poll conducted by consumer group Which?

A new survey has rated the best and worst airports across the United Kingdom, with an airport in the Highlands emerging as Scotland’s top-ranked air travel hub.

Inverness Airport secured a 70 per cent satisfaction score in the annual passenger poll conducted by consumer group Which?. The rating matches Inverness’s performance last year and keeps it comfortably ahead of Scotland’s three other main airports, all of which saw slight improvements in their latest scores.

Glasgow Airport followed with 63 per cent, up by one point on 2023. Edinburgh Airport, Scotland’s busiest site, also climbed one point to 58 per cent, while Aberdeen trailed narrowly behind on 57 per cent after a similar improvement.

It marked the second consecutive year of progress for both Edinburgh and Aberdeen, which each recorded 55 per cent in last year’s results.

Despite the gains, Aberdeen struggled in key areas, receiving just one out of five stars for baggage waiting times and two for its shops and their prices. Passengers did, however, praise the airport’s security and passport control queues, which both earned four stars.

One passenger was positive, saying that the Granite City hub is “small and efficient, rarely crowded”. But another flyer was less impressed, saying: “Poor choice of food outlets and they are expensive. Coming through passport control is cramped and can take a long time.”

Edinburgh, meanwhile, was criticised for long queues and limited seating. The airport scored only one star for shop prices and two for customer service, passport queues, seating and baggage waits, while other categories received three stars.

Comments reflected this mixed experience, with one traveller saying: “It’s badly run, crowded and there are always delays at baggage reclaim and passport control”. But someone else praised it for having “plenty of shops and bars/restaurants.”

Glasgow achieved four stars for its check-in and bag drop process, with passengers recognising efficiency at the start of their journeys. But the airport was rated only two stars for passport queues and for the range and pricing of its shops.

Feedback varied from: “It is an embarrassment. It is too small and cramped and there are not enough facilities for the number of people going through,” to the more generous: “It is exactly what a modern airport should be.”

By contrast, Inverness drew strong praise across almost every category. The airport was awarded four stars for security, customer service, queues, seating, toilets and baggage reclaim.

Only its shops fell short, with two stars for variety and three for pricing. Travellers praised its simplicity, describing short waiting times and friendly staff.

One passenger remarked: “Security lines were short, staff were friendly and the whole experience felt smooth,” while another concluded simply: “Inverness is guaranteed simplicity.”

Looking beyond Scotland, Exeter Airport was ranked the best in the UK overall, scoring 80 per cent satisfaction. It was followed by Liverpool and London City.

At the other end of the table, Manchester Airport three once again came bottom, with just 43 per cent satisfaction for the fourth year in a row.